4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[LaPoule]

Despite the fact that I now have the , I have so many plans for new chickens (more Polish, Silkies, Light Sussex bantams, Wyandottes... ) I'm afraid that the girlies will end up with less space than when they were in the ! They have a large fenced off area in the grubby space at the back of the house, otherwise known as the garden, but they only free-range during out-of-office hours.

 

So does anyone have any suggestions for run enrichment? They have some perches and branches, and I hang fruit or salad leaves in a food ball (unfortunately, mine turn their noses up at broccoli, which means that when it arrives in the veg box, I have to eat it ). There are some hanging CDs and mirrors, and they also have a dustbath directly under the . I plan to drill some largish holes in a log to fill with mixed corn (evenings-only treat), and am looking for a rodent food ball (the kind you fill with treats, that fall out as they play with it). I am also going to put a ramp between the two perches.

 

Any suggestions gratefully received!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I can't think of a single other thing you could put in . I think you've covered it all .

 

Someone was talking about putting a swing in for their girls (after watching them enjoying sitting on a swinging gate, I think!). I've got plans to try something like that with the old wooden roosting bars .

[LaPoule]

Thanks ANH - I just keep thinking that there must be something else. They don't seem that interested in the nice tidy perches, though they like the branch - definitely more rustic design that sleek Scandinavian styling for my chooks .

 

I have also wondered about seed balls - the kinds you can buy for wild birds or parrots. They are covered in seeds with shells, like sunflower - can chickens have these?

 

Love the idea of the swinging chicks, but mine might take a while - they've only jsut gotten the hang of the ladder!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've bought seed bells for mine before. You just have to be careful to get the ones held together with honey or similar rather than fat.

 

Have you tried them with corn on the cobs? That's hilarious to watch (the only downside is that you get cornstarch (I'm assuming!) splattered absolutely everywhere ).

[BarbaraJ]

Mine love parrot seed balls , they also love branches, hanging veg and rabbit treat balls

[Plum]

Millet goes down well hanging in the run and hanging sticks of cellery so that have to jump for it keeps them and me amused. (I watch don't jump!)

[Guest]

I am swing lady(have to b careful how i worded that one)

Have just made a swing out of two loops of blue water pipe, it went in wir this afternoon and so far they havent been on it! They loved the rabbit hutch door which was in the wir whilst awaiting the to arrive..

over the weekend in the sunshine will take some pics & will see if it was worth the effort

indie

[cluckbok]

We gave ours cooked corn on the cob and they loved it, kept them occupied for ages!

[quickcluck]

Mine love uncooked corn on the cobs. The seed bell they scoffed in milli seconds, but the pecker block although expensive has lasted ages!!!

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=390007211980

 

try this for a treat ballie thingy.....

[LaPoule]

Thanks for the ideas. I have now bought one of those rabbit treat balls - let's see how long it takes before they figure it out! I also bought some millet on a stick. I've also plans to buy a peckablock - it's nice to know that they are worth the money - thanks quickcluck. Will also keep an eye out for corn on the cob, ANH - the things we do, eh!

 

Now I just have to go de-mice the attic...

[Plum]

Gave mine an old log full of insects today thinking they would love it. Huh they shook in a corner (probably because I dropped it). Later they got over their fear when I put sweetcorn and mixed corn on it though

Take care with the rabbit treat ball, mine turned evil and possesive when they had worked out it had corn in it